Dog dies after being left inside Henderson Animal Control vehicle

When Brandon Whipple’s 9-year-old Shih Tzu escaped from the yard on the Fourth of July, the crisis was quickly averted.

A police officer found Whipple’s dog, Mr. Chops, and took him to Henderson Animal Control.

“They called us and we got there right away,” Jim Whipple, Brandon’s father, said. “The people there were wonderful, they seemed like they loved their jobs. It seemed like a wonderful place.”

A few weeks later, however, when Mr. Chops got away from the yard again on July 27, it did not end in a reunion.

“It was an unfortunate accident this time around,” Jim Whipple said.

On Thursday, Mr. Chops had been picked up as a stray and transported to a local veterinarian in Henderson, according to a statement released Tuesday by police. Through the dog’s microchip, the vet determined the dog’s owner information and contacted the Henderson Animal Care and Control Facility.

The dog was picked up by a Henderson animal control officer to be taken to the Animal Care and Control Facility until the owner could pick up the dog, police said in the statement. After returning to the facility, the dog was unintentionally left in the vehicle and discovered deceased the next day.

Jim Whipple was on his way to Animal Control on Monday morning when he found out the news.

“When I got to the end of my street there were three police officers,” he said. “I watched what was going on, and could see they were stopping near my house. I made a U-turn and came back. They were very upfront. They told us everything. They didn’t hold back any information and they didn’t try to hide it.”

The family was notified by a Henderson Police deputy chief and captain.

“On behalf of the Henderson Animal Control staff, I wish to extend our sympathies to the family of the dog who lost its life while under our care. This is the first time this type of incident has occurred at the Henderson Animal Care and Control Facility and the staff is devastated by the accidental death of the dog,” Henderson Police Chief Patrick Moers said in the statement.

“The staff is currently reviewing policy to address the process for impounding and delivering animals from the animal control vehicles to the facility.”

Moers added, “Though the staff does all they can to keep the animals safe while in our care, we’ll work with our staff to ensure this unfortunate event does not occur again in the future.”

Whipple said he moved out to the Las Vegas Valley, with his son, as a single dad.

When Brandon was in the second grade, he informed his father that he wanted a dog of his own.

“We rescued Mr. Chops from an abusive home at the time,” he said. “My son took care of him and they were best of friends.”

Jim said while it is obviously a “big loss and a huge hole,” his son, now 17, is beginning to accept the news of what happened.

They’re hoping that, if anything, the loss of Mr. Chops will help raise awareness about the dangers of the desert heat.

“Out of this unfortunate situation, we hope people learn to respect the weather,” he said. “Look out for pets, animals, children — people need to watch out for that. Take that extra second and think.”

Henderson Animal Control is reviewing and revising policies for the care of dogs and cats impounded by its officers, according to the statement.

Contact Natalie Bruzda at nbruzda@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3897. Find @NatalieBruzda on Twitter.